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“If he’s smart, it’s a trip to anywhere but here,” Rosie mused

Sarah caught Maybelle and Claudia’s husband exchanging a look, saw the glimmer of amusement in Maybelle’s eyes, and knew the woman knew exactly what Claudia’s husband had planned

Not only that, but she’d played a role in it co about God love her

Maybelle and Sarah’s father stayed a few er, then both claimed they had to leave as well

From the front porch, Sarah watched them drive away

The open house had been a big success The local paper and thefeatures Dozens had attended

She should be ecstatic

Instead, she was haunted by thoughts of that one person who should have been there but wasn’t

Had she been secretly hoping he’d co to one of the Butterflies, turn, and there he’d be, s her breath?

How foolish What would change if he had? She was tied to Pine Hill Tied by strings of history, fas she cherished and didn’t want to break

But that didn’t stop the ache of Bodie not being there, his not having co there to receive his share of all the compliments on the classy way he’d created a modern bathroom yet kept the historic feel of the home

His just not being there, period

Get a grip, Sarah

Struggling with her emotions, she went back inside Hamilton House

She wandered frohts off as she went As she walked into each room, she let memories from the past fill her mind Aunt Jean, the Butterflies, all the open house visitors, even Bodie